Molly Mae and Tommy Fury take new puppy Mr Chai on a walk in Manchester after backlash over importing him from Russia
MOLLY-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury took their new puppy Mr Chai for a walk in Manchester on Thursday night after the couple were criticised for importing him from Russia.
The Love Island stars looked besotted with their new fluffy friend as they made a trip into the city centre.
Molly – who received the four-month old baby Pomeranian as a 21st birthday gift from her boyfriend – cuddled Mr Chai for most of their outing.
And at one point, the couple – both dressed in loungewear - stopped to give their pet a kiss on the head.
Molly had to wait a few days before meeting the pooch after she revealed they had imported the dog from Russia – much to the anger of fans.
Molly explained: "He was meant to be here on my birthday btw guys but he's coming from Russia so there were delays etc."
Horrified fans flocked to social media to slam Molly-Mae's choice to import her pet - with some outraged by her decision not to adopt an animal in need from the UK, and others worried about the global pandemic.
Russia closed their borders to foreign visitors in March due to coronavirus, with the decree extended indefinitely last month.
One wrote: "MOLLY MAE’s F***ING DOG IS COMING. From. RUSSIA. The ignorance, I’m so disgusted."
Another added: "Wait Molly Mae is having a puppy shipped to her from Russia?
"There’s literally so many dogs sat in adoption centres and they choose to get a dog shipped from another country wtf is that about?"
A third seethed: "Was excited to see what pup Molly Mae was getting until she said it was being shipped over from Russia... In the middle of a pandemic."
One more shared: "Molly-Mae’s new puppy is on its way from RUSSIA???! Little doggy on a flight from Russia, I’m mindboggled."
Others were confused about why the couple chose to import a breed that they could have bought in the UK, with one asking: "Are you realllllly telling me that Tommy Fury thought its was necessary to get Molly Mae a puppy from Russia, for it to be a Pomeranian, a breed widely available in the UK, without the dog having to suffer from all the travel? Laughable."
Another wrote: "Getting a f**king Pomeranian shipped from Russia during a global pandemic", adding the face-palm emoji.
The Sun Online have contacted Molly's rep for comment.
On Molly's birthday, 21-year-old Tommy surprised her with a designer carry case for her dog and other pet treats, leaving a handwritten note from the pooch that read: "Dear Mummy, I can't wait to meet you in a few days.
"Until then have the best birthday and I know Daddy will be spoiling you rotten. Love you lots. Your son, Mr Chai."